‘Sacrifices of Punjabis in freedom struggle can never be forgotten’
HOSHIARPUR: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday dedicated to public two photo galleries depicting pictures of martyrs and freedom fighters of Hoshiarpur district.
Former member of Parliament Avinash Rai Khanna had allocated ₹1 crore to set up these galleries. The photo gallery of martyrs has been set up beside the war memorial on Court Road whereas the freedom fighters’ gallery has come up in the Model Town Club.
Speaking on the occasion, the speaker said sacrifices made by Punjabis in the country’s freedom struggle can never be forgotten.
Saluting the land of Punjab, he said the state has always played a leading role in serving the country. Birla paid tribute to the state and its people, while addressing a function at DAV College here, where he also honoured families of freedom fighters and ex-ser- vicemen.
While hardworking farmers of Punjab serve the country by pro- ducing foodgrains, its brave jawans protect the nation’s borders, he said. As many as 574 youths of Hoshiarpur district have laid their lives to protect the country’s borders and this glorious fact would continue to impart a sense of pride and commitment to the coming generations to serve the nation, he said.
On the occasion, Birla honoured families of four freedom fighters and 17 ex-servicemen for their contribution to the nation. He also honoured 163 students who achieved distinctions in the field of education and sports.